Ganapathi Agraharam Annadhurai Ayyar Natesan | |
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G. A. Natesan in 1915 |
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Born | August 25, 1873 Ganapathi Agraharam, Thanjavur district |
Died | April 29, 1948 | (aged 74)
Occupation | writer, journalist, politician, publisher |
Spouse | Mangalamma |
Ganapathi Agraharam Annadhurai Ayyar Natesan (August 25, 1873 – April 29, 1948) was an Indian writer, journalist, publisher, politician and freedom-fighter from the erstwhile Madras Presidency. He was the founder and proprietor of G. A. Natesan & Co. which published nationalist books, the most prominent among whom was The Indian Review.
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Natesan was born in the village of Ganapathi Agraharam in Thanjavur district on August 25, 1873. He had his schooling in Kumbakonam[1] He graduated in arts from the Presidency College, Madras[2] and started a career as a publisher. He first apprenticed under Glyn Barlow before starting his own publishing company, G. A. Natesan & Co. in 1897.[2][3]
Natesan was involved with the Indian independence movement right from his early days. In 1900, he started The Indian Review, a monthly publication in English.[4] While covering mostly nationalistic themes, The Indian Review also included literary reviews, illustrations and sections on economy and agriculture.[4] Natesan advertised on the front page that his publication was "devoted to the discussion of all topics of interest".[4]
When Mahatma Gandhi visited Madras for the first time since his arrival in India in 1915, he stayed at Natesan's house at Thambu Chetty Street, Georgetown.[5][6] His stay lasted from April 17, 1915 to May 8, 1915.[6]
In his later life, Natesan underwent a change of ideology and joined the Indian Liberal Party.[7] He was elected Joint Secretary of the Liberal Party in 1922.[7] He was first nominated as a non-official member to the Council of State in 1923 and for a second time in 1931.[7][8] During his tenure as a member of the Council of State, Natesan served as member of the Indian Delegation to the Empire Parliamentary Association in Canada.[1] He also served as the member of the Indian Iron and Steel Tariff Board in 1933-34.[7][9] Natesan was appointed Sheriff of Madras in 1938.[7]
Natesan died on April 25, 1948 at the age of 74. He was extremely active until the time of his death.[1]
Natesan married Mangalamma in 1904. The couple had two sons, Manian (1905–1982) and Chandran (1907–1990).